Spring is here and the daffodils are coming out, brightening up the landscape. As well, magnolias, and rhododendruns are in flower and cherry blossum is coming out.
This is a magical time of year and there is so much to see and do, as humans and plants come out of hibernation and into warmer weather outside.
It's time to get out and about!
If you are in Dunedin, then a visit to the newly opened Chinese Garden is well worthwhile. The Dunedin Chinese Garden is one of only three authentic Chinese Gardens outside China and the only one established in the Southern hemisphere is well worth a visit.
Dunedin Chinese Garden
The design of the garden is the creation of Jianzhong Hu from the Shanghai Museum.
The garden is an example of a late Ming/early Ching Dynasty Scholars Garden with a harmonious balance of textures and shapes and there are ever changing views as you move around the pathways.
A partnership with the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Municipal Peoples Government, the Shanghai Construction Decoration Company and the Dunedin City Council saw the pavilions and walkways prefabricated in Shanghai and even the rocks were brought from Shanghai. Rocks are a very important part of a Chinese garden and these rocks are highly prized due to their distinctive appearance. Until the Dunedin project rock had not been exported for eight years from Shanghai.
Craftsmen from Shanghai brought all this together in to the 'Garden of Enlightment'. Two significant trees are a white and pink magnolia representing the sister cities of Shanghai and Dunedin.
Looking for a simple inexpensive screen then try this trellis project.
A couple of angle-sided metal posts, such as waratah standards, and some tree prunnings are all that is needed for an attractive garden screen.
A simple trellis screen
Practical Gardening Spring is the time to get the vegetable garden dug over ready for spring planting. If you can, double dig the garden as this reduces weeds and frees up the soil, which will have compacted over winter. If you have grown a green crop such as mustard then it should be well composted.
See our Spring Vege garden tasks page for a list of tasks and for ideas on what to start growing now.
Don't forget to feed rhubarb - a good dose of sheep manure or horse poo in the spring will ensure a good crop.
Growing bulbs in a pot can add a splash of colour to your garden. Try them as a feature near the house, on steps or in corners of your terrace or patio. You can move the pots around and have different colours or flowers each season.
